New eye layer has possible link to glaucoma

by
in science on (#3EH)
Last year, researchers at The University of Nottingham discovered a new layer in the human cornea. The latest research from the team shows this new layer, called Dua's Layer, makes an important contribution to the sieve-like meshwork in the periphery of the cornea. Defective drainage in this area is an important cause of glaucoma; a condition that affects 1% to 2% of the world's population.

Professor Dua said: "Many surgeons who perform lamellar corneal transplant recognise this layer as an important part of the surgical anatomy of the cornea. This new finding resulting from a study of the microanatomy of the periphery of the layer could have significance beyond corneal surgery."
Reply 5 comments

But is it really new? (Score: 1)

by ticho@pipedot.org on 2014-02-17 21:58 (#1H)

If many surgeons "recognise this layer as an important part of the surgical anatomy of the cornea", is it really a _new_ layer that's been discovered?

Re: But is it really new? (Score: 1)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2014-02-17 22:42 (#1J)

There are actually 2 articles here. The first article is from late last year on the discovery of the layer. The second article is on linking the layer to glaucoma.

Aks the ophthalmologists (Score: 2, Interesting)

by bsathome@pipedot.org on 2014-02-17 23:05 (#1M)

Just ask how many ophthalmologists undergo a laser surgery. The most will thankfully decline because the risks are simply too great. You should not mess with your eyes easily.
There are, of course, people who have significantly bad visual acuity where it accounts as a valid diagnose. Still, if glasses can help without too much of a problem, then messing with the cornea in a non-reversible way may not be a good option anyway.
If you ask an ophthalmologist, please ensure that (s)he is not making a profit from such procedure, before asking for advice.

Glaucoma is bad (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-02-18 01:50 (#1N)

But it did bring us one good thing, the beautiful glaucoma hymn . Majestic!

Re: Glaucoma is bad (Score: 1)

by insulatedkiwi@pipedot.org on 2014-02-19 14:18 (#2W)

It also brought us no end of weed jokes too.

"Oh, yeah! Medicinal! Why, without it I could, uh, go even blinder, right?"